Tide, Tigers reveal initial depth charts

Dee Ford chases Quan Bray during an Auburn practice. Ford is listed as a starter at defensive end for the Tigers. (Todd Van Emst | Auburn University | File)

TIMES STAFF REPORTS

Published: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 10:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 10:51 p.m.

Alabama and Auburn released depth charts with a couple of surprise starters Tuesday ahead of the teams’ college football season opening games Saturday.

There was little surprise when Alabama coach Nick Saban listed the starters for the No. 2 Crimson Tide, which opens against No. 8 Michigan at Cowboys Stadium.

Auburn, which plays its season opener at the Georgia Dome against Clemson, had considerably more movement than Alabama with its 2012 depth chart when considering starters from last season. Coach Gene Chizik’s Tigers will play several new starters on defense. The depth chart confirmed first-year Tiger defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder’s stance that all positions were open when he came on board.

“When you have a new defensive coordinator come in here and say that all jobs are open, you wait to see the guys that seize the opportunity, who maybe wasn’t a starter before or didn’t play much before,” Chizik said Tuesday.

The coach noted that some players who started last season are battling some injury issues and some on the depth chart are being considered for redshirt seasons.

“Everything is not set in stone right now,” Chizik said.

Alabama had somewhat of a surprise starter listed on offense. Senior Kelly Johnson is the starting H-back, replacing Brad Smelley who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns.

Johnson, a walk-on, is listed ahead of backup Harrison Jones and Brent Calloway.

Among Auburn’s returning starters who aren’t listed first on the depth chart is junior Nosa Eguae, who’s projected as a backup or third-team defensive end after having started 24 games for Auburn.